Shoe-lace fastener



2 192 7 A. M. BERGER SHOE LACE FASTENER Filed March 10. 1927 gwoeuto'r: aazya/M Patented Oct. 25, 1927.

AUGUSTA MARIA BERGER, 0F BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

SHOE-LACE FASTENER.

Application filed March 10, 1927. Serial No. 174,284.

This invention relates to a shoe lace fastener.

The loose ends of shoe laces in walk ng frequently become untied which is annoying to the wearer and, in the case of little children, dangerous due to the possibility of stepping on the untied ends causing the child to trip.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide means for securely holding the loose ends of a shoe lace. Another object of this invention is to provide means for preventing the becoming untied of shoe laces. Still another object of this invention is to provide a neat appearing shoe.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in elevation showing.

the application of a device embodying the principles of my invention attached to a shoe. I

Figure 2 is a view in side elevation of a device embodying the principles of my invention.

Figure 3 is a view in side elevation of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a view in side elevation of a modified form of device.

Figure 5 is a view in side elevation of another modified form of device.

Figure 6 is a view in front elevation of Figure 5.

I am aware that numerous attempts have been made to provide means for securing shoe laces. The unsatisfactory nature of most of these devices has been occasioned by the varying aggregate cross sections of the different laces to be held. by the device.

In carrying out my invention the design of the device is adapted to function within the limits of variability of the aggregate cross section of the laces. The device is formed of three leaves 1, 1, 2. Leaves 1, 15

1', are formed from one piece of metal bent over in the shape of a U and have within the bottom of the U a pintle 3. Leaf 2 is hinged to leaves 1, 1, by means of pintle3. Pintle 3 is held by leaves 1, 1, by means bent over tongue 4. Leaf 1 terminates at its free end in a bent over cylinder 5 and leaf 2 likewise terminates in a bent over cylinder 6. A loop 7 is journaled in cylinder 6 and is adapted to snap over cylinder 5 to hold the three leaves in closed position. The leaves 1, 1,

and 2. are formed from a resilient metal. Leaf 2 is adapted to be secured to the shoe in any well known manner such as by eyelet 8 or by teeth 9 (see Figure 5). The free ends of the laces are placed between leaves 2 and 1. The leaves 1 and 1 ,are then closed and loop 6 is snapped over the cylindrical end 5 of leaf 1, the laces being held by the resilient pressure of leaf 1, which adapts itself to the varying aggregate cross section of the laces.

In the modified form shown in Figure 4:, I provide but two leaves 1 and 2 of spring metal, which leaves mav be integral or hinged as shown and I further provide a rubber cover 10 for leaf 2 which cover, due

to its elasticity in conjunction with the resiliency of the spring metal, will accommodate the varying aggregate cross sections of the laces and will hold the laces firmly.

In the modified form as shown in Figure 5, I provide a single piece of resilient material 11 bent over in the form of a U and having the bottom of the U covered with rubber 12. The sides of the U are not of equal length, the shorter side terminating in a bent over portion 13 adapted to receive a pintle 14; and to form a hinge connection with lever 15. Lever 15 has a curved cylindrical bent over end 16 which functions to pinch the loose ends of the shoe laces between itself and the resilient walls and elastic covering. The distance from the point of connection to the hinge and the periphery of the bent over cylindrical end 17 is greater than the distance beween the arms of the U. This necessitates in the action of the lever a slight spreading of the arms 18, 19, and their subsequent contraction. The resiliency of the arms 18, 19, will therefore prevent the accidental movement of the lever It will thus be seen that I have invented a device that is neat in appearance and one that will accommodate itself to the varying aggregate cross sections of the laces and in so doing will securely hold the loose ends of the. laces to prevent their dangling or becoming untied.

What I claim is:

1. A shoe lace fastener comprising two hinged members, a locking member to hold them in locked position, a resilient member interposed between said hinged members to 5 hinged members, a locking member to hold them in locked position, a yielding member interposed between said hinged members to 7 provide pressure on shoe lace ends of variable aggregate cross section held between said yielding member and one of said hinged 10 members and means for securing said hinged members to the shoe. 4

Signed at New York, intlie county of N eW York and-State of N. Y., this 23rd day of February A. 1927., p

AUGUSTA MARIA BERGER. 

